Archive for car repair shops

MOT tests are usually conduced once in a year and the vehicle owners are issued the relevant certificates that enable them to run the vehicle in terms of worthiness of the automobiles. Anyone can go in for the said test before twenty eight days of the expiry of the present certificate by presenting the same. In that condition, the vehicle owner is issued the MOT certificate that would be valid for thirteen months. Following factors need to be considered deeply during these tests including MOT Test Harrow.

VIN / Registration plates – The Vehicle Identification Number is a must for all automobiles and it should be clear, consistent and displayed on regular basis. Same is true with the registration plats that should be secure, fresh, see-through and bear clearly written letters.

Steering wheel – All the features related to the steering wheel must be examined in a critical manner. It includes the overall condition, steering column, its proper attachment to the shaft that should present a normal end-float, inspection of upper bearings and security of the clamping bolts. Same way, the steering should be examined in terms of Free Play and locking & split nuts apart from universal joints & flexible couplings etc.

Horn – This important part of the vehicle needs to be examined carefully and it should be loud enough to warn others. The tone should be the standard one as per the traffic rules.

Under vehicle / bonnet examination- The steering joints, power steering systems steering box/steering rack, movement of the wheels and other major aspects should be examined strictly. Split pins, rubber bushes, retaining devices, rear wheel steering etc should also be checked during the MOT, e.g. MOT Test Harrow. Likewise, a thorough check of the play in the steering & swivel joints is a must.

Lighting system – Everything related to the lighting of the automobile, i.e. security, operation and condition must be examined. Their dipping and colour should also be as per the traffic rules. The stop lights should not conflict with each other and the indicators should also work in an even manner. The rear-fog-lamps must work under all conditions and they must be dark red in colour. The rear reflectors and the number plate lamps should be apt.

Doors – All the doors including the front ones should be in working condition and able to be opened and locked from inside and outside.

Boot lids & tailgates etc – All these parts of the automobile must be operative and work properly before the vehicle is delivered to the owner after the test, e.g. the MOT Test Harrow.

Other factors related to the MOT Test include overall examination of the whole body of the automobile. It includes checking and rectification of bonnet clutch, impact of corrosion that damages the working of different parts of the car, truck or other vehicle. The seat belts, all brakes, windscreen, mirrors, emission, fuel & exhaust system, tyres and wheels etc should also be examined carefully. The requisite official stickers should also be displayed by the owners.

Since competition in the auto repair industry is incredibly fierce, marketing can be a very important tool that can give your business the edge that you need in order to make sure you keep your current customers and attract new ones. Every car repair shop has its own business model and has a specific positioning on its market, so each approach has its own specifics. It’s notable that many auto repair shops lack innovation and creativity when it comes to promoting their business, so a couple of marketing ideas might come in handy.

Try and get as many referrals as possible

For businesses in the auto service industry, word of mouth is arguably the most effective way for expanding your customer base. You can partner up with businesses that share your target audience, but offer different types of services than you, try and convince them to refer their clients to you, and for each customer they refer to you, they receive a commission. Also, you can try and have your customers recommend you to their friends, and you can achieve that by providing timely and quality service, and offering competitive prices. You can ask them to post a status on their Facebook profile or tweet about your shop, and in return, offer a reward of some sort, such as a discount the next time they come to you, or mount and balance their tires or change their oil for free.

Improve brand perception by holding various events

There are a couple of ways to make people in your community aware of your businesses. For example, you can hold regular events focusing on vehicle maintenance, where you demonstrate drivers how to properly maintain their cars, and explaining the consequences of failing to change the oil or the air filter, or other similar maintenance tasks that every car owner can do on their own. In addition, you can sponsor a youth sports team, or a local kart race, or donate to a charity.

Radio and TV advertising

If you are an established auto repair shop, you can probably afford to pay a radio or TV add that will be aired over and over again, which is bound to get the attention of car owners needing a repair. This is an expensive marketing strategy, but it’s also one of the most effective ones, as it gives you a chance to reach a wider audience.

Exploit the Web and Social Networking

No business in the world at this moment can exist without an online presence. A business-oriented web site and social media engagement is a must even for old-school businesses like auto repair shops as well. Establishing a well-positioned Facebook page and pro-actively engaging with the interested audience would definitely bring fruits. Also using services like Twitter to get local customers interested and engaged. Businesses of this type should serve funny content combined with some useful repair tips and tricks to get the sympathy and attention of the target market. The goal here is to provide genuine support, or likeability and maintain positive image in the eyes of the audience.